ABIDJAN (Cote d’Ivoire) – Gameday 2 of the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket wasn’t short ooohs and exciting individual performance.
From tournament debutants making an immediate impact to a young veteran recording her second consecutive double-double, the Palais des Sports in Abidjan showed why it is the place to be for the next six game days, which will culminate on Sunday, August 3.
In this article, we highlight six players who stole the show on Gameday 2 in Abidjan.
Carla Covane (Mozambique)
Although Mozambique is missing powerful center Tamara Seda, fans should take note of the way Carla Covane stepped in.
Mozambique head coach Nasir Sale kept Covane on the floor for 34:43 minutes because she disrupted Rwanda’s game plan in different ways. Mozambique prevailed over Rwanda 72-55.
By the final buzzer, the 6-foot-3 center had scored 15 points on 7-for-16 shooting. She also finished a rebound shy of a double-double. Her 15-efficiency rating speaks volumes about her performance.
Jessica Thomas (Cameroon)
When you think about the best ball-handlers at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, Jessica Thomas's name will probably come to mind.
The American-Cameroonian point guard, in her second Women’s AfroBasket, was one of the reasons South Sudan lost their second game in a row.
Thomas led Cameroon in scoring with 19 points in 38:15 minutes on the floor, in addition to her five assists.
Leia Dongue (Mozambique)
Dongue made her seventh Women’s AfroBasket debut in style. She looked more like a coach on the floor. Guess what? Her teammates embraced her leadership.
In 33 minutes and 15 seconds on the court, Dongue - who first played in the Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Madagascar at age 18 - finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists, helping Mozambique get off to a winning start in the tournament.
Raneem Elgedawy (Egypt)
Before taking on Angola on Sunday, Egypt knew one thing: They had to win.
Raneem Elgedawy had faced the former African champions before and delivered a stellar performance.
The Egyptians needed to bounce back from a 75-63 loss to the host team, Côte d'Ivoire.
Elgedawy, who hasn’t missed a Women's AfroBasket since 2015, when she was 18, pushed her team. Despite playing on foul limits, she remained focused, and her numbers speak for themselves: Egypt beat Angola 70-54.
Elgedawy became the first player to register two double-doubles in a row, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.
Melissa Akullu (Uganda)
With Janse Asinde and Paige Robinson having subdued performances, Melissa Akullu seized the opportunity to put herself in the spotlight at the Abidjan 2025 showcase.
Akullu made 10 of her 15 shots, including 2 of 2 from deep, to lead the Gazelles with 26 points. She also had seven rebounds, finishing with a 31-efficiency rating.
In the process, Uganda overpowered Guinea 88-51.
Dulcy Fankam (Cameroon)
Her performance wasn’t the most eye-catching, but her efficiency rating speaks volumes about her impact.
In 29 minutes and 46 seconds on the court, Fankam delivered on both ends, finishing with 10 rebounds and 13 points as Cameroon overcame a resilient South Sudan, winning 70-63.
FIBA